RFID is a technology that is sparking interest in the library community because of its applications that promise to increase efficiency, productivity and enhance the patron experience. This course provides the librarian with information about the benefits and limitations of RFID systems. The course discusses how an RFID system is integrated into the workings of the existing ILS, and the accompanying potential for better collection security and item management. The hot-button advocacy issue of patron privacy rights is also addressed.

• Overview of how RFID works
• Benefits of an RFID system
  • Electronic Article Surveillance - Item-level security options
  • Ease of use for self-check in and self-check out
  • “Honing-in” ability of RFID readers
  • Close-up on Inventory
• System components – hardware and software
  • Close-up on Tags and the 13.56 Mhz frequency
  • Close-up on Reader features - Mounted and Handheld
• Integrating the RFID system with the ILS
• Privacy rights concerns
• Vendors that deal specifically with library applications of RFID
• Library related conferences about RFID
  
  Research and Development of library RFID applications